Electrolytic cell.



" K, R. THRBLPALL.

BLBGT'ROLYTIG CELL.

APPLICATION FILED 112.27, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1,062,058, Patented May zo, 1913.

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R'. THRELPALL. B'LEUTROLYTIG CELL.

APYLIOATIOK FILED FEB. 27, 1912.`

Patented May 20, 1913.`

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.'

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RICHARD .THRELFALL or BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

ELECTROLYTIC ,specification of Letters raient. Patented B'Iay 20, 1913. Application led February 27, 5.912. -Serial'Na .680,280.1 V

To all wit-0m it mayA concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD THRELFALL, a subject of His Majesty -the King of IGrrea-t Britain and Ireland, residing at Birmingham, England, have invented new and useful Improvements'. in and Connected with Electrolytic Cells, of whichv the following is a specification.

One of the diiiiculties in the way of the more general application of electrolytic methods to chemical processes arises from thev usually large size of electrolytic apparatus in relation to the outputf'one consequence of which is high supervision and repair charges. in order to secure greater compactness' inthe apparatus it is sometimes advantageous to submit to some loss of electrochemical and .energy eiiiciency.

It 'has been proposed to form a compara-- tively compact apparatus intended to be so constructed as to prevent the current passingrf through the liquid around the electrodes thereby com elling the current to pass through the liquid'directly between the elec trodes and to secure these ends it has been proposed that the apparatus shall consist of an inner vessel supported in an outer one,

' the bottom of the innerv one having .openings through which the electrolyte may enter from the outer vessel andl passup between vertical electrodes carried by non-conducting plates let into grooves in the inner vessel andthence through horizontal openings and pipes from the inner tothe outer vessel so as to secure circulation `of the electrolyte,

the eventual electrodes being at the ends of the inner vessel and being separated by the intermediate electrodes carried by the nonconducting plates above mentioned. A

The present invention relates to apparatus of this general class and has for its object the construction of an elective electrolytic cell in which there shall be a minimumof electric leakage coupled with efficiency and being hereinafterset out.

`In the accompanying drawings :-`Figure' 1 is a Vertical section, Fig. 2 a horizontal section on the line X-X, Fig. 3 illustrates a modification ofthe apparatus, Figftis a perspective view showing that .if the inner vessel be round the electrodesnecessarily become'elliptical in order` that they may eX- tend'across' such tube er vessel at the requisite angle' and Fi 5 isa perspective view of twdleetairgulgg electrodes with the wedges shown on a larger scale y than in F ig. l.

In said drawings t-C is a cell or tank containing .the electrolyte. A is a tube whichin Figs. and 2 may be round but which is shownA as of rectangular cross section. This tube is non-conducting and should be of a material that will be unacted upon by the electrolyte. 'It may either be made in one piece or built up of several Pieces., and' -S Show/nas being supported by a crossV bar B.

' Eand F `are the end electrodes of con-duet- Aing material as little acted upon by the elec- ,0. O. P. P. are gaps left between the in-` termediate electrodes and the inner walls of the tube A. The vgaps P. l?. allow the lli-iid electrolyte to venter the electrode spaces: the gaps O. O. allow the electrolyte to circulateupward as itA becomes heated and provide for the escape `of any gas produced during the electrolysis. l

. R is a tube which allows the liquor to re.- tun to thetan'k from the tube A: it is made of lnon-conducting material unacted upon by the electrolyte. AIts object is to 'allow the electrolyte to return to the tank and' still oppose some electrical resistance in the short circuit through the electrolyte from electrode Eto electrode' F. By rise of temperature generally assisted by disengagement of gas the liquor stands at a higher level in the n tube A than in the'tank.

' B is a support for thetube A which may be arranged in any convenient manner so as to allow of free communication between the liquid in the tank and inthe tube. y

S is a supportavhich may generally be of small dimensions orin some cases may be omitted-carryingjthe electrode F.

K. K. shown inv the planonl'y-fare strips of material attached to the wall of the tube A or projections v@from the side of the tube against which electrodes rest.. They may be made yofllgtlie same material as' the tube or of insulatingmaterial unacted upon byY gifle liquorv if not. forming part of the tube itse s l electrode surfaces.

tank.

/D. is the level of the electrolyte in the M. M. is the level of the electrolytein the tube-in general above D. D. when current is passing as already mentioned.

T is a tube providing an additional exit for gas and liquorwsev'eral such tubes may be arranged at dierent points along the tube A if the gas evolution in relation to' the gaps at O is excessive, if it is not th tube T may be omitted. 4

In operat-ion the action would be as follows r-assuming for the purpose of explanation that gas is formed during the electrolysis and a liquid product not miscible with the electrolyte is formed at oneset of electrode ,surfaces which will for the purpose ofV explanation be taken as the negative Positive current entering at E-distributes itself over the oblique *foot and then flows across the electrolyte to the first intermediate electrode and so on in the well-known manner producing electrolysis in each gap till it reaches the bottom electrode I"l and so returns to the generator. The bottom electrode tits the tube at the higher side but a gap is left be tween the electrode and the inner wall of the tube at the lower side. The electrolyte enters the electrolytic column through this gap and as there are corresponding gaps right up to the footof electrode E it can distribute itself to all the spaces between the intermediate electrodes. All electrodes make as close contact as is convenient with the walls of the tube at Q and Q. The gas if any is produced together with lthe heating of the electrolyte causes an upward flow between the sbliquely placed intermediate electrodes. The gaps between the ends of the electrodes and the A.sides of the tube A permit the liquorand gas to rise and escape into the free part of the tube above the foot of the main anode where the gas is separated from the electrolyte which flows back into the tankone or more tubes R being placed in any desired position sogas to bring about any degree of circulation desiredfor instance they or it may be led to the bottom of the' tank. If a non-miscible liquid is depositedon the cathode surfaces which are in each oase the upper surfaces of the intermediate electrodesthis liquid runs down the inclined electrodes and drops through the gap left along the lower edges whence itreaches the tank where it may7 accumulate and 'be removed from time to time as desired. l

One or more electrolytic columns as de. scribed may be placed in each tank, and. may be worked electrically in parallel con nection. ,l i

If' a circular section be more convenient than rectangular drie for the tube it? the #inclined electrode surfaces become elliptical Loca/05e and in this case the gaps P and O are more conveniently provided by cutting channels through thefelectrodes than vby means of pieces as shown at K see Fig. 4.

The distance pieces H which are preferably cemented or let in to the upper face of each intermediate electrode areI shown as having theI same section throughout but in the case' which usually occurs `where the anode surfaces are more acted upon than the cathode surfaces the distance pieces take the fo-rm of spikes or wedges--the points of which rest against, the anode surfaces. As wear takes place over the anode surface the electrodes descend and the distanceof the gaps thus remains constant. Unless the distance pieces are of small cross-section where they abut. against the anode surfaces they screen the part of the anode surface resting upon them to sfuch an extent that it does not share the general wearing-away and consequently 4the eleetrolytic gaps widen. lf however, the distance pieces are sufficiently tapered the protection isnot sufficient to prevent the electrodes dropping as required and keeping the electrolytic gaps very nearly constant in length parallel to the lines of flow of the current through them.

Fig 3 lshows a modification in which the intermediate electrodes G are practically vertical and in this construction the containing tube or vessel A is set at an angle so as to permit the gas to escape and to insure circulation of the electrolyte but with this construction the electrodes do not by their own weigh'tfmaintain with certainty a practically7 even"electrolytic gap as they wear away. lit-h this construction the current entering by E passes through the yelectrolyte between it andthe first intermediate electrode Gr" and so -on in the well known .manner producing electrolysis in each gap until it reaches the. bottom electrode F and bso returns to the generator. The electrodes E, G, and l" areseparated by wedges or spikes H and openings' orspaces O, l), are leftV between thetop and bottom' of 'electrodes (l andthe -walls `of the nonconducting vessel A to enable the electrolyte to circulate and the gases5 generated to pass up andleseape throughT and at M respectively while the electrolyte can return to the outer vessell C through pipe R while fresh elec- .trolyte enters A at its lowest point as-`in Fig. l.` The electrodes will generally be of graphite but when the electrolyteis of such a nature as not to injuriously affect or be naffected by their use such electrodes may be of hard carbon, oXid of iron or. other known conducting material. The construction is not quite so effective as with the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, although the circulationof theelectrolyte and the revention ,of short circuiting is. equally .we lusecured,v

but the escape of gasandthe'maintenance' ing and supporting the intermediate elecof even electrolytic. gaps are more dificult to secure.

What is claimed is 1. An electrolytic apparatus consisting of a receptacle forthe electrolyte, a -non-conducting` inner tube or'vessel therein and` opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes 11n the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes between the eventual electrodes at an angle to the walls vof the vessel and so arranged as to provide ducts or passages by which-the gases and liquid products of the electrolysis can escape and the electrolyte circulate. f

2. An electrolyticapparatus consist-ingof a receptacle forthe electrolyte, a non-conducting inner tube or vessel therein and opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes between the eventual electrodes at an angle to the walls of the vessel 'and solarranged as toprovide ducts or passages A'by which the vgases and liquid "products ofthe electrolysis can escape and ltheelectrolyte circulate, and means separattrodes by which the electrolytic gaps are automaticallyy maintained practically constant in length parallel to the lines of liow of the current irrespective of wearor chemicalv action on their surfaces. v

3. .An electrolytic apparatus consistingof a receptacle for the electrolyte, a non-conducting inner tube `or vessel therein and opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes'between t'he eventual electrodes at an angle tothe walls of the vessel and so arranged as to 'provide ducts or passages by which the gases and liquid products of the electrolysis can escape and the electrolyte circulate, a pipe of non-conductingr material connecting the inner vessel at a point normally above the level of the electrolyte in vthe outer vessel with such outer vessel at a point practically lower than the lowest electrode therein.v

v4f. An electrolytic apparatus consisting of a receptacle for the electrolyte, a non-com ducting 'nner tube or vessel therein and' opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes between the eventual elec,- t-rodes at an angle to the walls of the vessel and so arranged as to provide ducts or passages by which the gases and liquid products of the electrolysis can escape and the electrolyte circulate, a gas discharge pipe from the inner vessel terminating at a point above vthe levelfof the electrolyte.

5. An electrolytic apparatus consistinglof a receptacle for the electrolyte, anon-conducting inner tube or .vessel therein and opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes between the eventual 'elecaction on their surfaces, a pipe of non-conducting .material connectingthe inner vessel at a point normally v above the level of the electrolyte in the outer'vessel with such outer vessel at a point practically lower than the lowest electrode therein.

6. An electrolytic apparatus consisting of al receptacle for the electrolyte, a non-con ducting inne` tube or vessel therein and opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediate electrodes between the eventual electrodes at an angle to the .walls of the vessel 'and so arranged as to provide ducts or pas# sages by which the gases and liquid products of the electrolysis can escape and the electrolyte circulate, and means separating and supporting the intermediate electrodes by-A Y which the electrolytic gaps are automatically maintained practically constant in length parallel to the lines of `flow of the Y current irrespective of wear or chemical ac-v tion` on their surfaces, a gas discharge pipe from the inner vessel'terminating at a point above the level of the electrolyte. l

. 7. An electrolytic apparatus consisting of a receptacle for the electrolyte, a non-core ducting inner tube or vessel therein and opening thereinto, eventual main electrodes in the inner vessel, a plurality of intermediatev electrodes between the eventual electrodes atan angle to the walls of the vessel and so arranged as `to 'provi-de ducts 'or passages by which the gases and liquid products vof the electrolysis can escape rand the electrolyte circulate, a pipeof non-conducting material connecting the inner vessel at a point normally above the level of the electrolyte in the outer vessel with suclfouter vessel at a point practically lower than the lowest 'electrode therein, a gas discharge pipe from the inner vessel terminating at a point above the level of the electrolyte.

ln witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. r l

RICHARD THRELFALL. Witnesses:

SAML. B. ROUND, CHAS. H. T. BUTLER.v

Copies of this patent may bepbtained for ve cents each, by addressing'the Commissioner of Patents,

' "Washington, D. C. 

